-------Real Talk--------

[morninglory81]

I'm always amazed that folks put limits on God's Grace. I firmly believe that God practices infinite and absolute Grace.

His grace is infinite, but we are accountable for choices we make.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

His grace is infinite, but we are accountable for choices we make.

Then that's not grace nor forgiveness. I'd suggest reading the book "If Grace is True"

http://www.amazon.com/If-Grace-Is-Tr.../dp/0061926086

[paolo59]

If not, find a place in nature that you can see Gods hand in, and pray in the presence of his handy work.

Of all places, I find that I do more meditating, serious thought and contemplation while sitting in my car, driving/stuck in traffic, surrounded by beautiful music on the stereo!

It's better than cussing at the idiots all around me!



Although I do do that sometimes.

[Phattso]

ohhhhh religion. well... no one on earth is Right about that. i think religions/antireligions are like how blind people walk up to different parts of an elephant and try to explain it.

I believe in God, but I am not religious. Anyone having the ability to explain or not explain does not either prove or disprove the existence of God. How do you 'know' no one is right about religion? You have the right as much as anyone to believe or not believe, but to state no one is right about religion is an opinion.

[morninglory81]

Of all places, I find that I do more meditating, serious thought and contemplation while sitting in my car, driving/stuck in traffic, surrounded by beautiful music on the stereo!

It's better than cussing at the idiots all around me!


Although I do do that sometimes.

Have to admit I have had many therapy sessions while stuck in traffic.

[BigJ66]

This thread is pointless.

----Real Talk----

[justboo2u]

I believe in God, but I am not religious. Anyone having the ability to explain or not explain does not either prove or disprove the existence of God. How do you 'know' no one is right about religion? You have the right as much as anyone to believe or not believe, but to state no one is right about religion is an opinion.

... and that is the 2nd time you've asked for 'proof' about an opinion.

Have to admit I have had many therapy sessions while stuck in traffic.

So have I... but mine tend to be 'anger dispersion' therapy.

[paolo59]

... and that is the 2nd time you've asked for 'proof' about an opinion.



So have I... but mine tend to be 'anger dispersion' therapy.

Get it out! Get it out!!! And I don't mean with some fluffy pillow or one of those silly little foam bats!!!

[Phattso]

... and that is the 2nd time you've asked for 'proof' about an opinion.

So have I... but mine tend to be 'anger dispersion' therapy.

...and there might be a third or fourth time. You never know

[cowboybiker]

Even atheists believe in God when they feel the need to blame Him.

[justboo2u]

This thread is pointless.

----Real Talk----

Au contraire! I find it very enlightening. You ARE, of course, entitled to your opinion.

...and there might be a third or fourth time. You never know

I wait with bated breath.

[morninglory81]

... and that is the 2nd time you've asked for 'proof' about an opinion.



So have I... but mine tend to be 'anger dispersion' therapy.

It always starts with frustration and turns to
A)anger>yelling
B)introspection>crying
But always end with me feeling completely spent!

[Mindi912]

Why do ****ers try and mess with people. I am selling an iPhone I won via eBay when I get a message asking for my emailed address linked to my paypal account so they can pay me £625 directly into my account. No go right.

So people are bidding and I'm thinking ok all this is looking good when suddenly it jacks up to £1500 by two different bidders. Wtf right. So yes naturally the item is unpaid for because a group of twats who couldn't hack my account thought they'd **** with me.

[7Seconds]

Personally I believe if you never felt any conviction that you won't be held accountable for that unbelief. Now if you have felt that conviction and then choose to turn away I believe that in that case you will be held accountable for that choice.

Growing up I attended church because that is what I was told to do. In college I took several classes on religion and over the last 20 years have picked up the bible and read it on many occasions. But I have never really been a believer. I think there are more logical explanations of how we got here then what was presented in the bible. Maybe I am wrong. Who knows.

[hammerfelt]

Christmas is a great trick of the Devil.

Where did this idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus come from? Sure, they celebrated the actual birth of Jesus in the Bible, but how about when he turned 1, or 2, or 3... or 33? No celebration for any of those birthday's in the Bible.

We are given clear instructions in the Bible on how to remember Jesus and it has absolutely nothing to do with his birth and everything to do with his death.

[1Cr 11:23-27 KJV] 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

[drudixon]

^^ This guy is a f'ckin moron. Real talk.

The irony of being mad at something you don't believe in....

[justboo2u]

Growing up I attended church because that is what I was told to do. In college I took several classes on religion and over the last 20 years have picked up the bible and read it on many occasions. But I have never really been a believer. I think there are more logical explanations of how we got here then what was presented in the bible. Maybe I am wrong. Who knows.

I look at it this way.

I CHOOSE to believe in 'God' because science has not explained the existence of 'conciousness' to my satisfaction. I do NOT believe morality and religion are codependent. Just the opposite... much atrocity has been committed in the name of 'religions'... NOR do I believe it is 'completely' learned, as most of us were 'innately' nice to our siblings long before we were told to be...
So... from where else comes 'cogito ergo sum', I think, therefore I AM?

I certainly have no answer to that.

Just my opinion(s) here, folks!

[7Seconds]

I look at it this way.

I CHOOSE to believe in 'God' because science has not explained the existence of 'conciousness' to my satisfaction. I do NOT believe morality and religion are codependent. Just the opposite... much atrocity has been committed in the name of 'religions'... NOR do I believe it is 'completely' learned, as most of us were 'innately' nice to our siblings long before we were told to be...
So... from where else comes 'cogito ergo sum', I think, therefore I AM?

I certainly have no answer to that.

Just my opinion(s) here, folks!

I have several opinions on this. None of them will change yours. Merry Christmas.

[Minotaur]

Especially when it comes to religious beliefs it becomes virtually impossible to both respect and accept an opposing opinion. Faith tends to be pretty cut and dry, respecting another's choice and accepting it as valid aren't mutually exclusive IMO.



Religion, politics, and dietary advice are conversations that never end well! LOL



The truth may always be the best policy. Sharing it isn't always the best choice!

Yes, exactly. All of that is very true.

[Phattso]

I look at it this way.

I CHOOSE to believe in 'God' because science has not explained the existence of 'conciousness' to my satisfaction. I do NOT believe morality and religion are codependent. Just the opposite... much atrocity has been committed in the name of 'religions'... NOR do I believe it is 'completely' learned, as most of us were 'innately' nice to our siblings long before we were told to be...
So... from where else comes 'cogito ergo sum', I think, therefore I AM?

I certainly have no answer to that.

Just my opinion(s) here, folks!

Something must be wrong. I actually agree with your opinion.

[Minotaur]

ohhhhh religion. well... no one on earth is Right about that. i think religions/antireligions are like how blind people walk up to different parts of an elephant and try to explain it.

I'm pretty much a universalist, I subscribe to the philosophy of prisca theologia, many paths to God, salvation, liberation, whatever. The Indian saint Sri Ramakrishna said "so many faiths, as many paths". I respect everyone's beliefs even if they don't accept mine.

[justboo2u]

Something must be wrong. I actually agree with your opinion.

... Ive been told the Mayan calendar was off by one year.... and a few days.

I have several opinions on this. None of them will change yours. Merry Christmas.

Immaterial. I would welcome your honest opinion(s). Thats what this thread is all about, I think!

[Brackneyc]

I'm pretty much a universalist, I subscribe to the philosophy of prisca theologia, many paths to God, salvation, liberation, whatever. The Indian saint Sri Ramakrishna said "so many faiths, as many paths". I respect everyone's beliefs even if they don't accept mine.

Along those lines, The Zen philosopher, Basho, once wrote:"A flute with no holes is not a flute......and a doughnut with no hole is a Danish."

[steffo99]

Let's invade Denmark and Sweden while we're at it... lots of pretty blondes there.

Actually might be a good idea, we havn't had any action here in a long time. Just remember we recently sold military planes to Brazil
and with the press of a button we can turn them into remotely controlled drones each loaded with deathray technology.

Also since real talking here, I apologize to you OTL for misjudging you a while back there - my bad.
You actually seem like a good fella

[Old-Time-Lifter]

I'm pretty much a universalist, I subscribe to the philosophy of prisca theologia, many paths to God, salvation, liberation, whatever. The Indian saint Sri Ramakrishna said "so many faiths, as many paths". I respect everyone's beliefs even if they don't accept mine.

Frank, I'd also suggest the book "If Grace is True" to you as well. It is one of those must read books and I'm willing to bet that after you read it you'll drop that "pretty much" part of your statement. I'm quite comfortable saying that I am a believer in universal salvation.

Actually might be a good idea, we havn't had any action here in a long time. Just remember we recently sold military planes to Brazil
and with the press of a button we can turn them into remotely controlled drones each loaded with deathray technology.

Also since real talking here, I apologize to you OTL for misjudging you a while back there - my bad.
You actually seem like a good fella

Thanks, for the record I never thought you were a bad fellow. Sorry if we bunted heads somewhere along the line.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!!

[bodyhard]

-------Real Talk--------

What the f'ck is wrong with me, I can't find it in me to go to the church, is there something wrong with me? It is like a battle in my head to go and not to go...so far the not to go has won...

[Phattso]

-------Real Talk--------

What the f'ck is wrong with me, I can't find it in me to go to the church, is there something wrong with me? It is like a battle in my head to go and not to go...so far the not to go has won...

John, don't rush yourself. The church will be there and God will be there when you are ready. Sleep on it. Go off hours when you are ready and like pharma said, just sit and maybe just think for a few minutes, then leave. First step.

[bodyhard]

John, don't rush yourself. The church will be there and God will be there when you are ready. Sleep on it. Go off hours when you are ready and like pharma said, just sit and maybe just think for a few minutes, then leave. First step.

Thanks man, I am so f'cking pissed at myself that I could not do it, I am not sure why. It is like I am torn between two thoughts.

I am even finding it difficult to pray, I do it, but I am not feeling it,, not the way I used to....

[GKC45]

I just got home with the kids from a Nativity service at my church. If my son doesn't stop screwing around and brush his teeth, he is going to meet Jesus tonight. REAL TALK

[morninglory81]

-------Real Talk--------

What the f'ck is wrong with me, I can't find it in me to go to the church, is there something wrong with me? It is like a battle in my head to go and not to go...so far the not to go has won...

I have felt this many times and for me it came down to pride. I felt that somehow I shouldn't need to call on help, like I should somehow get through my problems on my own, after all I created them.

The thing that helps me at these times is to look at my kids. I want them to come to me when they need me. I don't think less of them when they do, in fact I think they are strong for realizing they need help and being humble enough to seek it.